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Staying fit in advanced age

Posted by Rod @rek, Nov 9, 2023

I'm 76 and have been working to maintain fitness actively for about 10 years now. I have come to recognize how age affects our physical abilities. My heart rate won't ever pass 170 again. I have to be careful on training. If I train too often, I get hurt now. I can't run every day. The legs get sore and don't have time to recover. That's also when I can injure joints. On the other hand, I still seem to be able to gain strength through careful repetition, my balance keeps improving with training, and flexibility as well although there seems to be a real limit to my ageing joints. Oh yes, I seem to be out of breath more quickly as I age. And all of this remains uncertain.
I don't know what is normal for a 76 year old healthy male, how I can improve abilities or should I work more to preserve present ability? There don't seem to be many men or women my age to compare to. I'd love to join a workout community or some such thing but I sure don't know how to get started.

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linsy | @linsy | Nov 23, 2023
In reply to @aethos "I am experiencing this too. I am 70 and I cycle with groups and normally ride..." + (show)
@aethos

I am experiencing this too. I am 70 and I cycle with groups and normally ride 100-150 miles per week. I also hike a bit and go to Pilates. I have degenerative discs in my spine and recently developed perineal tendonitis in my ankle, probably from too much Pilates ( lots of ankle strengthening work) which affects my ability to get out and do these activities. I find it very difficult to accept restrictions on how much I can do.I also have osteoporosis and arthritis…fun fun. I know it is better than the alternative and am grateful for what I can still do

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I am 74 and started swimming in my buildings pool about 3 months ago. I can do 60 laps in about an hour and 15 minutes .. total body work out and safe. I have arthritis, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. I feel great.

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2 replies
omta | @omta | Nov 23, 2023
In reply to @bmilanowski53 "You are fortunate but your gratitude and your willingness to move says it all" + (show)
@bmilanowski53

You are fortunate but your gratitude and your willingness to move says it all

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you got it my friend
Thanks for the Kind words
On my way to a joyful time over my Granddaughter for a family thanksgiving celebration
Have a Grest day and stay Safe

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captboat | @captboat | Nov 23, 2023

I just turned 80 November 11 and learned to “move it or lose use of it”. I’m in physical therapy to improve my balance and walking, I ride my exercise bike, and do stretches. And I started using fiber soluble and insoluble (2-3 times a day). U do U, nobody else can or will. God bless you all and never give up.

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1 reply
peanutbutterhair | @peanutbutterhair | Nov 23, 2023
In reply to @edsutton "Sharing experience with other active agers is very valuable, both for the solutions and methods learned,..." + (show)
@edsutton

Sharing experience with other active agers is very valuable, both for the solutions and methods learned, and probably more important, for the joy of knowing "up-spirited" elders. Every time I see Paul and Alessandra, my active, happy 88-year-old neighbors out for a walk I think "I'm gonna be like them!" (I'm 74).
I've always been active making, doing, working on my feet, but have never been an exerciser. Last year I joined the Mayo Clinic Diet Program, lost 40 pounds and really "clicked" on the healthy eating program.
My wonderful hound is my coach. She gets me out for 2-3 miles every day. At 40 pounds lighter, adding distance is easy!
I've read that squats are the most important exercise for older folks, and have been doing squats daily, not extreme, just slowly adding repetitions and depth. I've learned it's important to not accelerate exercise routines too quickly, as with age, little strains and aches can compound faster than they heal.
I also practice simple gratitude awareness of color, sound, air, clouds, trees, people, birds. I can lift my spirits just by looking at a color and realizing how lucky I am to have eyesight.
I'm grateful for folks posting on these topics. Keep on!

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You have a great attitude!

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omta | @omta | Nov 24, 2023

Good luck to you Ed it looks like you’re on the right track.
Quality of life is so import in pursuit of good functional life.
The rest is luck of the draw and hopefully you have a good long life knowing that you did you best to accomplish that objective

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linsy | @linsy | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @linsy "I am 74 and started swimming in my buildings pool about 3 months ago. I can..." + (show)
@linsy

I am 74 and started swimming in my buildings pool about 3 months ago. I can do 60 laps in about an hour and 15 minutes .. total body work out and safe. I have arthritis, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. I feel great.

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Btw…. I am a woman

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1 reply
ruthblaze | @ruthblaze | Nov 25, 2023

I’m 79 years old I walk every day and go to the gym twice weekly the important thing is to keep moving thankfully I’m basically healthy. Good nutrition and movement will give you a long life

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omta | @omta | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @linsy "I am 74 and started swimming in my buildings pool about 3 months ago. I can..." + (show)
@linsy

I am 74 and started swimming in my buildings pool about 3 months ago. I can do 60 laps in about an hour and 15 minutes .. total body work out and safe. I have arthritis, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. I feel great.

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Great too see your proactive in your health
Your motivation is showing results Keep up the good work

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2sail | @2sail | Nov 26, 2023

Thank you all for your support, inspiration and suggestions! I started to stretch today and I donated all my unhealthy foods to some people who chose to have them.

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captboat | @captboat | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @linsy "Btw…. I am a woman" + (show)
@linsy

Btw…. I am a woman

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Women are cool too!

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